Till the age of 16, Nehru was home-schooled by a number of English governesses and tutors. One of these tutors was Ferdinand T. Brooks, an Irish instructor. In the 3 years that Brooks taught him, Nehru imbibed maths and science and developed a love for English literature and poetry that lasted his whole life.
Brooks was a follower of theosophy, which proposes that each individual must seek God sans the dogma of religion. It also believes in the universal brotherhood of human beings. Brooks was a protégé of Annie Besant, a theosophist and social reformer who was actively involved in India’s freedom movement. Nehru was drawn to this doctrine and became a member of the Theosophical Society at the age of 13.
Nehru wrote of Brooks, “For nearly three years he was with me and in many ways influenced me greatly…F.T. Brooks developed in me a taste of reading and I read many English books…Apart from studies, F.T Brooks brought a new influence to bear upon me which affected me powerfully – this was theosophy”.
Nehru attended weekly meetings of theosophists held by Brooks at Anand Bhavan. His interest however, did not prove to be a lasting one and he left the society after Brooks departed.
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